Corridor studies are typically conducted along an elongated area that spans across multiple counties, cities/towns, and TxDOT districts. Such areas are likely to include multiple transportation modes, including vehicles, railroad, transit, aviation, maritime, bicycle and pedestrian, and a mix of land uses. The corridor should be large enough in length and width to accommodate design alternatives. Corridors are of strategic importance to TxDOT and the communities adjacent to the corridor, such as an interstate highway, hurricane evacuation route, or part of the freight highway network. Other data such as vehicle crash information, traffic projections, pavement condition, and outdated roadway design may also warrant a study to be conducted.

The purpose of a corridor study is to assess existing and forecasted conditions along the highway corridor and develop an implementation plan of prioritized projects based on need and when they should occur [short (0-4 years), middle (5-10 years) and long term (10+ years) timeframes]. From the implementation plan, the TxDOT District(s) can then begin the process of planning and programming these projects into their respective project portfolios for further study and funding. However, there is no guarantee that after the study that any and all identified potential projects would be funded, implemented or implemented in the timeframes recommended in the corridor study.

Alternatives for transportation improvements can vary along a corridor and may include, but are not limited to, constructing new main lanes and/or frontage roads, limiting access, constructing grade separations, changing vehicle clearance height at bridges and overpasses, changing frontage road orientation from two-way to one-way, and changing overpass and interchange configuration (“reversing the stacks”). Transportation system management components such as traffic signal optimization, intersection improvements and intelligent vehicle/highway system elements may also be appropriate solutions. Corridor studies may include consideration of high-occupancy vehicle lanes, high-occupancy/toll lanes, tolled facilities or managed lanes as alternatives.